An allergy is an abnormal reaction by the immune system to a substance that is usually not harmful. Rhinitis means that allergy symptoms affect your nose. They can vary from mild to life-threatening. You can be allergic to a host of different things, including drugs and insect stings, but the most common ailments are upper respiratory allergies caused by substances in the environment and involving the nose (rhinitis) and sinuses (sinusitis).

Common Symptoms

• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Nasal congestion
• Coughing
• Itchy eyes or throat

Severe Symptoms

• Throat swelling
• Irregular heart rhythm
• Shock
• Difficulty breathing

What you need to know

Testing from an allergy specialist can determine what substances are causing your allergic responses. Make every effort to eliminate from your environment the substances that may be causing your allergies, or reduce contact with them. The most common include pollen, dander, dust mites, tobacco smoke, perfumes, and pets. Try air purifiers, electrostatic filters, and/or hypoallergenic bedding. Use a dust mask when working outside or mowing the lawn.

The best treatments for allergies are usually the alternative ones. Conventional treatments (Steps 5 and 6) can at best control allergy symptoms, and you must continuously take the treatments. However, alternative methods such as acupuncture can reduce your symptoms quickly and provide long-lasting relief.

Your balanced healing action plan for allergic rhinitis

Step 1: Undergo Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the fastest and most effective way that I have found to reduce or eliminate respiratory allergies. The principal points are usually found on the hands and alongside the nose. There are also supplemental points on the forehead and two allergy points in the ear. Press tacks can be placed in the ear points and left for prolonged periods of time. These are small needles that are embedded in an adhesive bandage and then pressed into specific points in the ear. The needles remain in the ear for as long as possible (a week, on average) and are replaced when they fall out. You massage these points several times during the day to stimulate them.

You should notice improvement in your symptoms within four to six acupuncture treatments, but you might need additional sessions for maximum benefits. Some people need yearly maintenance sessions to keep their allergies at bay. Always seek evaluation and treatment from a practitioner certified in acupuncture.

Step 2: Take Appropriate Chinese Herbal Remedies

I recommend using Chinese herbals in combination with acupuncture for better results. There are several different formulas that are effective for allergies, depending on whether you have asthma, a stuffy or runny nose, sinus congestion, colored sputum, or other symptoms. Common formulas are Cang Er Zi San, Qing Bi Tang, Xiao Qing Long Tang, and Yu Ping Feng San. Consult a practitioner qualified in Chinese herbal medicine to determine which Chinese herbal formulas are the best for your particular syndromes. You should see benefits within one to three weeks, but you may get results even sooner.

Caution: Ephedra is a Chinese herb often used for allergies, but it can be dangerous. You should not take it over extended periods or in high doses.

Step 3: Take Homeopathic Remedies

If the previous steps fail to help your allergic symptoms, homeopathy may be of benefit. Arsenicumalbum (6c) can be used for runny nose, itchy throat, and sneezing; Pulsatilla (6c) can be used for chronic, thick mucous; and Allium cepa (6c) can be used for runny nose and itchy eyes. Your symptoms should be better within a few hours to a few days. Consult a qualified homeopathist for guidance on which remedies will be most beneficial and for proper dosages.

Step 4: Take Stinging Nettle or Butterbur

If the previous steps are not effective or give you only partial relief, the western herb stinging nettle can be very effective for respiratory allergies. You should use freeze-dried (cryogenic) preparations one to three times daily; take 300mg to 600mg a day. An herb from Europe, butterbur (8mg toral petasine taken four times daily), has recently been shown to be as effective as conventional antihistamines but without drowsiness.

Step 5: Take Conventional Antiallergy Medications

If nothing else has worked for you, then it’s time to try conventional medications. There are two types for allergic rhinitis, antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays. Although most people with allergic rhinitis use antihistamines, prescription nasal steroid sprays are actually better for “as needed” allergic symptoms during allergy season because they provide longer lasting relief and work better and faster when you find yourself repeatedly exposed to the substances causing your allergic response. Prescription steroid nasal sprays such as Vancenase, Beconase, or Flonase also have minimal side effects, and Flonase is less likely to sting your nose. However, these sprays may cause cataracts with long term use, so be sure to use them only when necessary (usually during the allergy season), and have your eyes checked regularly if you must use them long term.

If nasal sprays are not effective or give you only partial relief, try over-the-counter antihistamines such as Benadryl, Tavist, Drixoral, and Dimetapp. These drugs can be as effective at reducing symptoms as prescription antihistamines, but they often cause drowsiness, can interfere with learning and decrease work productivity, and may cause prostate enlargement or recurrent bladder infections. The prescription antihistamines, such as Allegra and Claritin, cause less drowsiness, but they are much more expensive. Try the over-the-counter antihistamines first, and use a prescription medication only if these drugs cause bothersome side effects.

Step 6: Try Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots)

Immunotherapy, or allergy shots, should be considered as your last resort. This method works by injecting increasingly larger amounts of allergens into your body so that your system becomes desensitized to them and no longer overreacts in response to them. However, it may take two to five years for these shots to be effective, and the effect can wear off. Some people fail to respond to immunotherapy, but you won’t know if you are among them until you take the injections for years.

Tagged under:allergy specialist allergy symptoms common ailments dust mites electrostatic filters General Ailments insect stings irregular heart rhythm nasal congestion rhinitis sinusitis

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Filed under: General Ailments